Vehicle window adjustment device

ABSTRACT

A device for adjusting a window regulator in a vehicle door, having 
         a profiled base element ( 110 ) positonable on a lower section of the vehicle door and provided with a first elongate hole ( 111   b ) in its lower side and a second elongate hole ( 111   a ) in its upper side. A slider ( 112 ) slidingly moves within the base element ( 110 ) and includes a hole ( 113 ) aligned with the first elongate hole ( 111   b ). A screw extends through the hole ( 113 ) in the slider and the first elongate hole ( 111   b ) aligned therewith. A bolt ( 116 ) is fixedly attachable to the window regulator extending through the second elongate hole ( 111   a ) and includes a threaded rod engaging the threading of screw ( 114 ). The screw ( 114 ) can be turned from a first position, in which it does not engage the slider ( 112 ), to a second position, in which it engages the slider ( 112 ) with the first screw end ( 114   b ). The device provides for simple compensation of tolerances in connection with the vehicle door and for the window regulator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for adjusting a vehicle windowregulator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is necessary for side windows on automotive vehicles to be movablebetween an open position, in which the window is concealed within thevehicle door, and a raised position closing the open area above the doorpanel.

In hard top vehicles, the upper portion of the door usually includes aperipheral frame structure having a weatherstrip adapted to form a sealwith the edge of the window when the window is in the closed position.

Convertible or soft top vehicles possess no such upper peripheral framestructure, so that the window must seal against a weatherstrip carriedby the fabric structure forming the roof of the vehicle.

Due to folding requirements for the fabric top, this offers limitedsupport when it is in the raised position. Consequently, theweatherstrip on the fabric top structure may at times fail to sealadequately along the upper edge of the side window.

In order to prevent potential water leakage paths between the vehicleside windows and the associated weatherstrip, it is necessary to adjustthe stroke of the window so that the upper edge of the window sealsagainst the associated weatherstrip. Herein, it is necessary to avoidexcessive distortion or stretching of the fabric top, or the developmentof an excessive sealing force that might interfere with the opening orclosing of the fabric top.

Adjustment of the window movement stroke after the vehicle is fullyassembled is not easily achievable, as the window guide structure iscompletely sealed by the door outer panel and the door inner trim panel.

A vehicle window track adjustment system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,425,208 B1. Herein, a vertically disposed guide structure for thewindow is provided with an adjustment mechanism, whereby the guidestructure can be raised or lowered to change the location of the stopand the orientation of the window upper edge to the associatedweatherstrip.

From U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,942 there is known a window adjustmentapparatus for use with an automotive vehicle type of window assembly ofthe type having an elongate guide channel defining a longitudinal axisand which mounts a window for reciprocal motion relative to a vehiclebody panel such as a vehicle door, and a pivot arrangement which mountsthe guide channel for pivotal movement generally about one end thereofand within the vehicle body panel in which the guide channel is located.

DE 100 44 845 A1 discloses a vehicle door with adjustment means for awindow regulator. This window regulator comprises tolerance adjustingmeans in the region of the lower attachment point of the guide railswithin the door structure.

The present invention attempts to provide a simple and reliable meansfor adjusting the orientation of a window regulator and thus the strokeof a vehicle window.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting a windowregulator in a vehicle door, including a device for adjusting a windowregulator in a vehicle door, having a profiled base element positionableon a lower section of the vehicle door and provided with a firstelongate hole in its lower side and a second elongate hole in its upperside. A slider slidingly moves within the base element and includes ahole aligned with the first elongate hole. A screw extends through thehole in the slider and the first elongate hole aligned therewith. A boltis fixedly attachable to the window regulator extending through thesecond elongate hole and includes a threaded rod engaging the threadingof screw. The screw can be turned from a first position, in which itdoes not engage the slider, to a second position, in which it engagesthe slider with the first screw end. The device provides for simplecompensation of tolerances in connection with the vehicle door and forthe window regulator.

The device according to the invention provides a simple, reliable andhighly effective means for adjusting a window regulator, especiallyguide rails for window regulators in doors of convertible type vehicles.

The device of the present invention furthermore provides for a simplecompensation of tolerances in connection with the vehicle door and/orthe window regulator.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner sides ofthe base element and the outer sides of the slider are provided withinteracting notches. By means of such notches, predefined positions ofthe slider relative to the base element can easily be set, suchpositions defining a Y-position of the lower side of the windowadjustment device. Thus an adjustment of the angular position of thevehicle window in order to assure a proper sealing engagement of theupper edge of the window in relation to an associated weatherstrip canbe provided.

Preferably, the second screw end of the screw is provided with a slot.Hereby, an engagement tool for turning the screw, such as a screwdriver, can easily be applied to the screw end.

A preferred usage of the device according to the present invention is inconnection with a window regulator in a convertible type vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a preferred embodiment ofthe device according to the invention in its final state,

FIG. 2 is a further fragmentary perspective view of the device accordingto FIG. 1 in its final state, and

FIG. 3 in a fragmentary perspective view of the device according toFIGS. 1 and 2 in its initial or delivery state.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a window regulator 104 fitted with the adjustmentdevice according to the present invention is shown in a perspectiveview. It should be noted that FIGS. 1 and 2 show the final state of thedevice with respect to the window regulator, in which a relativemovement of window regulator and adjustment device is blocked due topressure-force interaction between these elements, as will be furtherdescribed below.

The window regulator 104 comprises deflection rollers and guide rails.In the Figure, only one deflection roller 104 a and one guide railcomprising dual rails connected to one another by means of a platform105 are shown. Further components of the window regulator are not shownin FIGS. 1 to 3, as they are not relevant for this aspect of theinvention.

The (not shown) upper section of the window regulator 104 as well as theupper sections as dual rails 104 b are fixedly attached to an uppersection of a vehicle door, typically just below an upper edge of thevehicle door, for example, to a belt line reinforcement member. Withoutthe fixation of the window regulator to the lower section of the vehicledoor by means of the adjusting device according to the present inventionand as described below, a pivotal movement of the window regulator aboutits fixation at the upper section of the vehicle door is achievable.

The lower ends of the dual rails 104 b are integrally connected toplatform 105, which is provided with a hole 105 a therein. The dualrails 104 b extend in an essentially vertical direction, usuallyreferred to as the Z-direction.

The positioning device comprises a profiled base element 110, preferablymade of a plastics material. The base element 110 is positioned on asection in a lower region of the vehicle door depicted by a dashed line120 in FIG. 1. The lower region 120 of the vehicle door is provided witha hole 121, the function of which will be described below.

The base element 110 comprises an upper side 110 a, a lower side 110 band walls 110 c, 110 d connecting the upper side and the lower side.Lower side 110 b is formed with two wing-like extensions extendingdownwardly at an angle from the lower side 110 b.

In the upper and lower sides of the base element 110 there are providedelongate holes 111 a, 111 b respectively.

The elongate holes 111 a, 111 b extend essentially horizontally andperpendicularly to the direction of motion of the (not shown) vehicle.This direction is usually referred to as the Y-direction.

A slider 112 is positioned within the base element 110, resting on theinside of lower side 110 b. The slider 112 comprises a base portion 112a, extending horizontally, and two walls 112 b, extending essentially inZ-direction. The slider 112 is also preferably made of a plasticsmaterial. The slider 112 is formed with a hole 113 in its base portion,which is aligned with the elongate holes 111 a, 111 b.

A screw 14 provided with an inner threading 114 a extends through thehole 113 in the slider 112 and the elongate hole 111 b in the lower sideof base element 110. The screw 114 is provided with a first screw end114 b, formed as a screw head, and a second screw end 114 c, formed witha slot, in which means for turning the screw can be engaged. The firstend 114 b of the screw 114 rests on the base portion of the slider 112.The screw 114 furthermore extends downwardly through hole 121 providedin door section 120, this hole 121 being aligned with holes 113 and 111b.

A bolt 116 extends downwardly through the hole 105 a in platform 105 andis fixedly attached to the platform. Bolt 116 is formed with a bolt head116 a resting on the platform 105. The lower end of the bolt 116 isformed as a threaded rod which engages the inner threading of screw 114.

By means of turning the screw 114 (for example by inserting anappropriate turning means in the slot formed in the second screw end 114c), an adjustment of screw 114 in Z-direction can be achieved.

As mentioned, the window regulator, and thus platform 105 and bolt 116are essentially fixedly mounted to the vehicle door in Z-direction inthe upper section of the vehicle door.

Referring to FIG. 3, the adjustment device according to the invention isshown in its delivery state. As can be seen, the head 114 b of screw 114abuts the inside of upper side 110 a of base element 110.

Furthermore, the outside of upper side 110 a abuts platform 105. Thus,there are, initially, no gaps between screw head 114 b and upper side110 a as well as upper side 110 a and platform 105. Rather, in theinitial state, a gap g is provided between slider 112 and head 114 b.

The screw 114 is thus initially, i.e. in its delivery state, in aposition, where it engages the inside of the upper part 110 a of thebase element 110. I.e. the gap x as indicated in FIG. 1 is minimized.The same holds for the gap y depicted in FIG. 1 between the upper side110 a, of the base element and platform 105. In this position, i.e.screw 114 not engaging the slider 112, the slider is slideable withinthe base element 110 in Y-direction. Thus, the pivotal movement of thewindow regulator, as mentioned above, about its fixation in the uppersection of the vehicle door, can be achieved. By means of such a slidingmovement of slider 112 a desired angle of the guide rails 4 b can beeffectively set. In order to define specific positions of the slider 112in Y-direction, the insides of walls 110 c, 110 d and the outsides ofwalls 112 b are provided with interacting notches.

On the upper side 110 a of base element 110 there is provided at leastone pin-like element 118 engaging an elongate hole 130 formed inplatform 105. The elongation of hole 130 extends essentially inY-direction. Thus, a rotation of the guide rail relative to the baseelement 110 in case of a turning of screw 114 can be prevented.

By turning screw 114 relative to bolt 116, screw 114 begins a downwardmotion relative to the bolt 16 and platform 105, whereby the gaps x andy are created. When the gaps x and y are fully formed, the head 114 b ofthe screw begins engaging slider 112. By further turning screw 114, afixation of slider 114 within the base element 110 can be achieved. Inthis engaging relationship, a further sliding movement of slider 112,and thus, a further pivotal movement of guide rails 114 b is effectivelyprevented.

At the same time, a tolerance compensation in Z-direction is achieved.The device according to the present invention achieves said tolerancecompensation by creating a pressure force (essentially in Z-direction)between section 120 of the vehicle door and platform 105 of the windowregulator. Thus, any deviations or tolerances in Z-direction, forexample of the dual rails 104 b or of the base element 110, can beeffectively compensated.

According to a further preferred embodiment, not shown in the Figures,the outside of screw 114 extending downwardly from hole 121 can beprovided with a thread. This enables a nut (not shown) with acorresponding inner thread to be engaged on said outside of screw 114,whereby the fixation of screw 114 to section 120 of the vehicle door canbe further enhanced.

1. A device for adjusting a window regulator in a vehicle door,comprising: a profiled base element (110) positionable on a lowersection of the vehicle door and provided with a first elongate hole (111b) in its lower side and a second elongate hole (111 a) in its upperside, a slider (112) slidingly moveable within the base element (110)and provided with a hole (113) aligned with the first elongate hole (111b), a screw (114) provided with an inner threading and comprising afirst screw end (114 b) formed as a screw head and a second screw end(114 c), the screw extending through the hole (113) in the slider andthe first elongate hole (111 b) aligned therewith, and a bolt (116)fixedly attachable to the window regulator extending through the secondelongate hole (111 a) and provided with a threaded rod engaging thethreading of screw (114), wherein the screw (114) can be turned from afirst postion, in which it does not engage the slider (112), to a secondposition, in which it engages the slider (112) with the first screw end(114 b).
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inner sides ofthe base element (110) and the outer sides of the slider (112) areprovided with interacting notches.
 3. The device according to claim 2,wherein the second screw end (114 c) of screw (114) is provided with aslot.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the screw (114)extends through a hole (121) provided in a section (120) of the vehicle,said hole (121) being aligned with the first elongate hole (111 b) andthe hole (113) in the slider (112).
 5. (canceled)